The Perfection Revealed in Weakness

Copyright © 2011 by Ella Venezia. All Rights Reserved.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness. …”  2Corinthians 12:9

There’s a footnote in my Bible for this passage.  It reads: “Human weakness provides the ideal opportunity for the display of divine power.”

I was feeling a bit down in the dumps, in touch with my current state of not having met that special man in my life. For the most part I can go through my life in touch with all the Blessings I do have. But every now and again, I am revisited with the sadness or yearning to share my life with my divine partner.

On my way to work, I went through a coffee house’s drive thru. When I got to the window to pay, I learned that the man in the truck ahead of me, paid for my drink. The feeling was wonderful—to receive this kindness and generosity. I in turn paid for the car behind me, there was no reason to break the blessing and not pass it on.

After work, I went to the grocery store. Typically I say hello to John, who works in the produce section. He’s always eager to say hello and he enjoys talking about recent work successes and challenges.  I always make it a point to comment positively when he points out the areas he organized and the changes he’s made to the displays.  Sadly, I believe management takes advantage of his condition (he may be mentally challenged) and like most places, manage through fear rather than positive management styles.

I didn’t see him today, and went on with my shopping, as I left the produce area. Then I heard someone rush toward me and say “Hello.” It was John. He was a little shy but managed to say: “I’ve been meaning to ask you this for the longest time. Are you married?” 

I smiled, as it was not lost on me the great risk and undertaking it must have been for him to ask.

“No, I’m not.” 

My mind raced through the options. How do I answer without giving him false hope?

Escaping from my mouth without harness, I interjected,  “But I am dating someone. Thank you so much for asking though.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know”

“That’s okay, no need to apologize. Thank you for asking, because how else would you have known?”

“Well, you never know unless you ask, right?”

“Absolutely.”

“You’re my favorite customer, you’re always nice to me, so I was curious.”

There was an innocence in his tone and approach. We parted jovially, and as I walked away, I was humbled by the great risk he took to ask this. I was further humbled to have found myself unable to adequately respond to his inquiry, and a bit ashamed for having responded with a lie. 

Perhaps this experience was a tap on my shoulder to convey that everywhere around me there is love. It may not be currently in the form of a wonderful husband, but it is existent in various forms.

In my vulnerability I am able to observe clearer, the beauty in the generosity of a stranger at the drive thru, and the generosity embedded in the bravery of a question. John, after all, is in search of what I seek.  We are all yearning for the same basic things. Meanwhile, we are surrounded by whispers of Blessings that we might just miss if we obsess over what we are waiting for, unaware of what’s already arrived. 
Ella Venezia